When Teams Say “Let’s Wait and See”: Timelines and How to Hold Them
By: Dr. Gabrielle Baker, President & Advocate
Parents hear it all the time in IEP and 504 meetings: “Let’s wait and see.” It sounds harmless, even reasonable, as if the team just wants more information. But too often, “wait and see” means delay. And delay means lost services, missed progress, and months your child can’t get back.
At Education Advocates of America, we help families understand what “waiting” really costs and how to respond when schools try to stall evaluation, eligibility, or services that your child needs right now.
What “Let’s Wait and See” Usually Means
Sometimes school teams say it when a parent requests testing or an evaluation, a student is struggling but not yet failing, a teacher reports “inconsistent” data or “behavioral” barriers, or when the district wants to try “interventions” before moving forward. These phrases are red flags when timelines are running. Under federal and state law, schools can’t delay a special education evaluation just because they want to try more strategies.
What the Law Actually Says
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, parents have the right to request an evaluation at any time if they suspect a disability. Once the parent gives written consent, the school must complete the evaluation within 60 calendar days (or within the state’s own timeline, if shorter). The team cannot extend or reset that clock to “wait and see how interventions go.”
Delaying an evaluation after a parent’s written request violates Child Find obligations. The district’s duty under 34 C.F.R. § 300.111 to locate, identify, and evaluate all children who may have disabilities. Put simply: if you’ve requested testing, the timeline starts.
How to Hold Teams to the Timeline
Put everything in writing. If you request an evaluation verbally, follow up with an email the same day: “I’m requesting a comprehensive special education evaluation to determine eligibility under IDEA and Section 504. Please consider this my formal written request. I understand the district has 60 days from my consent to complete the evaluation.” This single sentence locks in the timeline.
Ask for written responses. If the team says, “Let’s wait,” ask for that in writing and cite 34 C.F.R. § 300.301(b), which requires timely evaluation once requested. When schools must document a delay, they usually realize they can’t justify it.
Track dates. Keep a simple log with the date you requested the evaluation, the date you received consent forms, the date you returned signed consent, and the deadline (60 calendar days later).
Use the Prior Written Notice (PWN) requirement. If the school refuses to evaluate, they must issue a Prior Written Notice explaining why, what data they used, and what options they rejected. Most never do this correctly and that’s a compliance issue you can cite if needed.
Common Delay Phrases and What They Really Mean
“We want to collect more data first” often means they’re trying to stall. Data collection can happen during evaluation, not before.
“He’s doing fine academically” ignores that IDEA protects students with social, emotional, and functional needs, not just grades.
“We’ll revisit next semester” is a timeline violation if you’ve already requested evaluation.
“We’re trying RTI first” is not valid; Response to Intervention cannot delay or replace evaluation under federal law.
How to Respond Professionally
If you hear “wait and see,” respond with calm firmness: “We appreciate the data collection efforts, but given our ongoing concerns, we’re not comfortable waiting. Please move forward with the evaluation within the required timeline.” That phrasing shows you’re informed and cooperative, but clear that you’re not waiving your rights.
Why Acting Early Matters
Early identification and support can change the entire trajectory of a child’s education. Every semester lost to “wait and see” widens skill gaps, increases frustration, and makes interventions harder to implement later. When teams move quickly, students get access to targeted services, appropriate goals, and meaningful progress monitoring, not just temporary strategies that fade away with each new school year.
Final Thought
“Let’s wait and see” may sound cautious, but it often means “let’s delay and risk regression.” As a parent, you are not required to wait. You have the right, and the power, to insist on timely action, data-driven decisions, and accountability.
At Education Advocates of America, we help families every day enforce timelines, request evaluations correctly, and hold teams accountable. If you’re hearing “let’s wait and see,” we can help you say, “Let’s act now.”
